"How to Write an Economist Resume"

An economist resume has to prove you turn economics into decisions: you analyze economic data, build models and forecasts, and produce research that informs policy or business strategy. Employers want analysis and impact, not "studied economics." Here's how to write an economist resume that lands interviews.

What an Economist Resume Needs to Prove

Economic analysis — data and trends analyzed rigorously.
Forecasting/modeling — models and forecasts built.
Research — studies that answered real questions.
Impact — policy, strategy, or decisions informed.

Economics is analysis that informs decisions. Lead with analysis and impact.

Lead With Economics Work and Results

Show your economics work and the impact:

"Built econometric models and forecasts that informed [policy/strategy]."
"Analyzed economic data and trends, producing research that guided decisions."
"Conducted impact or cost-benefit analysis that shaped [decision]."
"Published or presented research that influenced stakeholders."

The pattern: the question → your model or analysis → the forecast, finding, and decision it informed. (See quantify your resume achievements and resume action verbs.)

Show Your Skills

Econometrics — regression, time series, causal inference, modeling.
Forecasting — economic forecasting, scenario analysis.
Tools — Stata, R, Python, SAS, EViews, SQL.
Analysis — cost-benefit, impact, policy, market analysis.
Domain — your field (macro, micro, labor, finance, policy).
Communication — writing, visualization, presentations.

Naming your tools makes the resume concrete and ATS-friendly (ATS — the software that screens resumes before a person does).

Quantify Analysis and Impact

Economics is judged on analysis and impact — show models/forecasts built, research produced, accuracy, and decisions or policy informed. (For related roles, see the research analyst resume guide and financial analyst resume guide.)

Keep It ATS-Readable

Clean, single-column, standard-section layout.
Mirror the keywords in the posting (economics, econometrics, the tools, the role title).
Use a standard title (Economist, Economic Analyst, Research Economist).

More in our guide to writing an ATS-friendly resume.

Common Mistakes

"Studied economics" — vague, with no analysis or impact.
No impact — decisions or policy informed are the headline.
No econometrics — modeling and methods are core.
No tools — Stata, R, and Python are screened for.
No domain — your field orients the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an economist put on a resume?

Lead with economic analysis and impact (models/forecasts, research produced, decisions or policy informed), show your econometrics, forecasting, and tools skills, and name your domain. Analysis and impact are what employers screen for.

How do I quantify an economist resume?

Use economics numbers: models/forecasts built, forecast accuracy, research/publications, and decisions or policy informed (with outcomes). "Built forecasts that informed [strategy]" and "analysis that shaped [policy]" prove economics impact.

What skills should be on an economist resume?

Econometrics (regression, time series, causal inference), forecasting (scenario analysis), tools (Stata, R, Python, SAS, EViews, SQL), analysis (cost-benefit, impact, policy), your domain, and communication. Name the statistical tools, since postings and ATS screen for them.

Should an economist use a resume or a CV?

For industry, government, or business roles, use a one-to-two-page resume focused on analysis and impact. For academic or research positions, a CV with publications may be expected. Match the format to the role, and lead with analysis and decisions informed either way.

An economist resume should reflect the role — analytical, rigorous, and decision-focused. PrismResume helps you turn "studied economics" into analysis, forecasting, and impact results, in a clean, ATS-readable layout. Try the free resume check at prismresume.com.